Wednesday, 29 June 2011

Three In For The Dons

Aberdeen are expected to announce the signing of three new players later today, goalkeeper David Gonzalez Gilardo from Manchester City on a six month loan deal, as well as midfielders Chris Clark and Isaac Osbourne who sign on free transfers from Plymouth and Coventry respectively. Clark in particular will be a familiar face for Dons fans, having spent 11 years at the club from 1997 to 2008, before earning a £150,000 move to Plymouth Argle.

While Kilmarnock had been considered favourites to resign Clark, the 30 year old midfielder has opted to rejoin the Dons. Clark is a versatile player, who has turned out on either side of midfield or at full back throughout his career. It is unclear where he will slot in at Pittodrie, but he could be seen as a replacement for Nigerian left winger Sone Aluko who is expected to leave this summer. Ironically enough Aluko took on Clark's number 11 shirt when he originally left for Plymouth, and Clark could now reclaim it on his return to the club.

Isaac Osbourne, brother of former Aston Villa midfielder Isaiah Osbourne signs after spending weeks at the club on trial, presumably to convince them of his fitness after an injury plagued career in which he has made just 122 senior appearances. Osbourne, primarily a central midfielder was released by Coventry City at the end of last season and could be seen as a replacement for former Dons captain Paul Hartley.

Gonzalez has arguably the greatest pedigree of the three, the 28 year old goalkeeper having made two international appearances for Columbia. Although he spent time on loan at Leeds at the tail end of last season, he failed to make a first team appearance despite impressing the coaching staff at the club with his professionalism. Gonzalez is likely to be a short time replacement for first choice goalkeeper Jamie Langfield, who looks to miss the start of the season while recovering from a seizure.